Schoolies holiday in Cambodia

Calico for Cambodia: Frankston schoolies will give Cambodian children calico so they can make art works to sell to tourists.

via CAAI

BY ALECIA PINNER

16 Nov, 2010

FRANKSTON

FRANKSTON year 12 graduates are in for a schoolies trip with a difference when they travel to Cambodia on Sunday.

The trip was organised by the Rotary Club of Frankston Long Island, which wanted to offer year 12 leavers a more lasting schoolies experience.

Past president Judy Rebecca came up with the idea in November last year after reading an article in The Age about a similar program in East Timor.

"I think kids are looking for something a bit more uplifting to do for schoolies and the parents are so grateful," she said.

"We are taking students from local schools who are choosing to do something a bit different to the usual schoolies trip to the Gold Coast or Lorne".

Two boys and nine girls from Frankston High School, Mount Erin College and Woodleigh School in Baxter applied and were accepted to go on the trip.

"All of them said they just wanted to make a difference," Ms Rebecca said.

Mornington student Leah Strickland is one of the schoolies taking part in the trip.

"I decided to go because it sounded like fun and I didn't want to go to Surfers and party when I could see new things, different people and get a real reality check," she said.

The club is affiliated with the Green Gecko Project, which educates and feeds Cambodian street children and orphans.

The project was created by Australian-born Tania Palmer who felt a calling to Cambodian children after reading an article about orphanages in 2004. During the trip, the students will work on the Green Gecko program for two weeks, helping primary and secondary aged children.

■ The Rotary Club of Frankston Long Island is hoping to establish the alternative schoolies program as an annual event. Year 11 students interested in next year's trip can call Judy Rebecca on 59751419 or 0415109859, after December 7.